Malaria Vaccine Price to Drop by 40% in Landmark Access Deal

Access to life-saving malaria immunisations across Africa is set to improve significantly following a new agreement to slash vaccine prices. According to the Global Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and UNICEF, the cost of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine will drop by approximately 40 percent.

The price reduction, which brings the cost down to €5.50 per dose, is expected to take effect by early 2027. This major development is projected to generate about $50 million in savings between 2027 and 2029, enabling health systems to stretch their resources and reach up to one million additional children with the full four-dose regimen.

Officials noted that the price cut is driven by the transfer of vaccine production to a developing country manufacturer. This strategy aims to foster a more sustainable and competitive market for the immunization. The arrangement is supported by an advance payment through the International Finance Facility for Immunisation.

Demand for malaria vaccines has consistently surpassed initial forecasts since rollout began in 2024. UNICEF has already procured and delivered more than 74 million doses across 25 African countries where routine immunisation programs are active. Health experts emphasize that a complete four-dose course reduces malaria cases by about 75 percent when administered seasonally in high-transmission areas.

While global figures show that Africa bears roughly 95 percent of the worldwide malaria burden—with children under five accounting for the vast majority of deaths—local rollouts continue to adapt. In Uganda, the Ministry of Health utilizes the R21 vaccine for public immunisation, while the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine is available through the private sector. Both formulas are approved by the World Health Organization.

For more details on this global health development, read the original report on Daily Monitor.